Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: June 25, 2025
Georgia hosts IMF Regional Capacity Development Center Steering Committee meeting as Chair country
Georgia, as the chair country, hosted the annual Steering Committee meeting for the IMF’s CCAMTAC. Officials reviewed past activities, agreed on the upcoming year’s program, and emphasized regional macroeconomic resilience.
Insight
Georgia’s leadership role in CCAMTAC highlights deepening regional cooperation on capacity development and positions it as a key hub for IMF-led economic strengthening initiatives.
Uzbekistan’s economy to grow 5.9% in 2025 and stabilize at 5.7% by 2030, says IMF
The IMF projects real GDP growth of 5.9% in 2025 for Uzbekistan, moderating to 5.7% by 2030. Growth is supported by strong domestic demand and ongoing economic reforms.
Insight
The sustained growth forecast reflects Uzbekistan’s successful shift toward a more diversified economy and shows that continued policy reforms can underpin long-term stability.
World Bank announces $250 mn for Lebanon reconstruction
The World Bank approved $250 million to initiate reconstruction of critical infrastructure and rubble management in war-damaged areas of Lebanon.
Insight
This funding marks the first tranche of a proposed $1 billion scalable framework—signaling donor commitment to rebuilding Lebanon’s public assets and societal resilience.
World Bank to finance Syria with $146 million to restore electricity
The World Bank approved a $146 million grant under the Syria Electricity Emergency Project to rebuild damaged transmission lines and substations, improving power supply reliability.
Insight
Restoring Syria’s electricity infrastructure is vital to stabilizing communities, and this intervention suggests cautious international re-engagement focused on essential services.
World Bank approves $930 million project to extend and modernise railways in Iraq
A $930 million World Bank-backed project will modernize and extend Iraqi railways from Umm Qasr Port to Mosul, aimed at boosting trade, job creation, and reducing oil dependence.
Insight
Upgrading railway infrastructure reflects Iraq’s strategic shift toward economic diversification and trade-enhancing projects to support long-term stability.
Pakistan says to conclude trade talks with U.S. next week
Reuters
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick agreed to wrap up negotiations next week focused on reciprocal tariffs. Pakistan faces a 29% U.S. tariff due to its $3 bn surplus and has offered to boost imports of U.S. goods and open mining-sector investments. The Export–Import Bank is reviewing financing of $500 mn–$1 bn for the Reko Diq project.
Insight
This signals a potential de-escalation in trade tensions with the U.S., as Pakistan uses tariff concessions and targeted investment incentives to preserve export growth and strengthen economic ties.
